NOTEBOOK : PADRES UPDATE : Riddoch’s Loss is Expos’ Gain

Padre Manager Greg Riddoch tried several times in the off-season to hire his best friend, Tom Runnells. He pleaded with him to be his third-base coach, saying it would be the best of times.

Runnells conceded that it would be a great time working together. Yes, San Diego is a wonderful place to live. And wouldn’t it be something for two neighbors from Greeley, Colo., to be on the same coaching staff.

But . . .

“He couldn’t leave Montreal,” Riddoch said. “He knew if a change was made, he’d have a great shot for the job.”

And when the telephone rang in Riddoch’s hotel suite Monday night, he could barely contain his excitement when Runnells informed him that he was the new manager of the Expos, replacing Buck Rodgers.

“Can you imagine that, two boys from a small town like Greeley, and we’re both major league managers,” Riddoch said. “They’re just going berserk back home. Everyone’s ecstatic. The reporters were asking me, ‘What do they put in that Greeley water to produce managers?

“The only bad thing about this is that it makes me feel old.”

Riddoch, 45, was the one who brought Runnells, 36, into the Cincinnati Reds’ organization while Riddoch was farm director. First, he signed Runnells as a minor-league free agent, and when Runnell’s playing days ended, Riddoch hired him as a minor-league manager.

“He just had those instincts,” Riddoch said. “Let me tell you, he’s going to be a good one.”

There also was a startling statistic that caught Riddoch’s eye when he picked up a newspaper and saw the list of managers’ salaries.

Runnells, who is signed through 1992, will be making $450,000.

Riddoch, who is signed only through this year, earns $160,000, and is the lowest-paid manager in the major leagues.

Just as promised, Padre shortstop Tony Fernandez switched uniform numbers to No. 1 in honor of Garry Templeton.

“I’m sure if Tempy saw me, he’d say, ‘Hey, the body is still warm, wait awhile,’ ” Fernandez said. “But he knows why I’m doing it. It’s out of respect for him.”

Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn, along with several of his teammates, were frantically searching for tickets for tonight’s NBA playoff game between the Chicago Bulls and Lakers.

“I’m calling every available contact I have,” Gwynn said, laughing.

Considering that the Lakers are staying in the Padres’ team hotel, and Gwynn knows Magic Johnson, why not give him a call, one of his teammates suggested.

“Nah, I’m not going to bother anyone,” Gwynn said. “I’m pulling for them, I can’t be messing up their concentration.”

Injury update:

--Right-handed starter Ed Whitson, who was placed on the disabled list Tuesday because of tendinitis in his right elbow, said Tuesday that his elbow feels the best it has in weeks. “The cortisone shot worked,” he said. Whitson is eligible to come off the disabled list June 11.

--Center fielder Bip Roberts stayed in San Diego Tuesday for further tests on his back, but is expected to join the team today. The magnetic resonance imaging test performed on his back was negative.

--Right-handed starter Greg Harris, who has been on the disabled list since April 22 with elbow tendinitis, pitched a simulated game Tuesday for the first time. He threw 45 pitches, and felt no pain, but a “little twinge.” He likely will be sent to triple-A Las Vegas within 10 days on a rehabilitative assignment.

--Left-handed reliever Pat Clements, who had surgery three weeks ago to remove cartilage in the back of his left shoulder, is feeling the best he has since the operation, and is scheduled to throw off the pitching mound for the first time Saturday.

--First baseman Phil Stephenson is eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list Friday, but instead likely will undergo an operation. Stephenson, who has a broken bone in his right knee cap that has not healed with rest, can not run laterally. “I really don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said. “I feel stronger on one hand, but I still can’t run sideways. That’s not good.”

--Left fielder Jerald Clark, who has bothered by a sore right Achilles’ tendon since April 30, was kept out of the lineup for the fourth consecutive game. He has started only once since May 26.

PADRES AT A GLANCE

SECOND INNING

Padres: With one out, Jackson singled to right. Benes sacrificed, Jackson moved to second. Howard doubled to left center, scoring Jackson. Fernandez walked. Gwynn singled to left center, scoring Howard and moving Fernandez to third. McGriff walked. Teufel was safe on shortstop Dunston’s fielding error, Fernandez scored, Gwynn advanced to third, McGriff took second. Santiago singled to short, Gwynn scoring, McGriff taking third and Teufel second. Coolbaugh walked, McGriff scoring, Teufel taking third and Santiago second. McElroy relieved Scanlan. Jackson singled to left, Teufel and Santiago scoring, Coolbaugh took third and Jackson was thrown out at second by left fielder Bell.

Seven runs, five hits, one left. Padres 7, Cubs 0.

NINTH INNING

Cubs: With two outs, Grace was safe at second on shortstop Mota’s throwing error. Bell singled to right center, scoring Grace. Dw.Smith singled to center, Bell took second. Walton, batting for Slocumb, lined to center.

One run, two hits, two left. Padres 7, Cubs 1.